86 



BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS. 



vary from the normal types. I have only myself noticed two 

 slight instances of variation, once in a Partridge, and once a 

 young Blackcock. The latter, shot September 12th, had 

 each of the new black feathers in flanks and breast streaked 

 centrally with white. The peculiarity in the Partridge con- 

 sisted in its having all those portions of the scapulars and 

 back feathers which are normally deep chestnut, quite black, 



YOUNG BLACKCOCK. (1st OF SEPTEMBER.) 



as were also the bars on the flank-feathers. The bird was an 

 old barren hen, one of three such found all together on 

 September 4th. I shot them all, but the other two were in 

 ordinary plumage. There is in Northumberland, a race of 

 very dark pJumaged Partridge, which is described and 

 figured in Mr. Hancock's Catalogue, pp. 91-93. 



